Zinc electrode for electric batteries.



No. 680,848. Patented Au 20, mm. w. ERNY.

ZINC ELECTRODE FOR ELECTRIC BATTERIES. (Application filed Mar. 6, 1901.)(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Modei.)

Patented Aug. 20, l90l. W. ERNY. ZINC ELECTRUDE FOR ELECTFHC BATTERIES.

(Application filed Mar. 6, 1901 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Nrrnn *rnrns nrnrwr rricnt wiLnnLM ERNY, .or i niinn on-TnnsAALn,GERMANY.

ZINC ELECT R QDE FOR ELEISTRIC BATTEFHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,848, dated August20, 1901.

Application filed March 6, 1901 Serial No. /081. (No model.)

To all whom it 722417,! concern.-

Be it lrn own that I, Wrnnnnn ERNY, electrical engineer, a subject ofthe Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Bliicherstrasse 10,IIalle-on-theSaale, in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Zinc ElectrodesComprising SpongyZinc Amalgam for use in Electric Batteries, of whichthe following is a specif cation. I 1

The present invention relates to a new zinc electrode.

The said zinc electrode consists of spongy Zinc amalgam, which is eitherplaced between two concentric zinc cylinders or covers the interior of azinc cylinder or is held upon the side of such a support by othersuitable retaining means sueh, for instance, as a zincwire network. Thefirst case is illustrated by Figure 1 of the annexed drawings, thesecond case by Fig. 2, each of which figures represents a longitudinalsection of an electric battery provided with a zinc electrode of thekind referred to. The third case is illustrated by the fragmentarysectional View, Fig. A modified construction of retaining means for thezinc filling is shown in Fig.

The manner in which the said zine electrode is produced is as follows:In the case of the electrode shown in Fig. 1. two zinc cylinders 1/ andb are placed together concentrically and connected at their lower ends,thus forming an annular space 0, closed at the bottom. The inner zinccylinder 1) is provided with holes (I of any shape. Instead of the innercylinderb, however, a netting Z1, Fig. 3, made of zinc wire or the like,may be used. Zincfilings and mercury are then mixed together with someacid-for instance, muriatic acidpreferably in the following proportionsieighty parts of zinc-filings, ten parts of mercury, and ten parts ofmuriatic acid, 10 Baum. The purpose of the acid isto cleanse thezinc-filin gs of fatty matter and to produce a close combination of samewith the mercury.

XVhen this has been done, the mixture of zinc-'- filings and mercury iswashed in pure water in order to free it of the muriatic acid that is tosay, to wash out the muriatic acid again.

Then the amalgam has been thus far prepared, the'supfaces of the zinccylinders a and I), connectedtogether at their lower ends, are

cleansed, for instance, by dipping the said cylinders into muriaticacid. \Vhen this has been done, the space 0 is filled with the zincamalgam described. Thelatterpassesthrough the holes (1 and also coversthe inner surface of cylinder 7), which is turned toward the car bonelect-rode. At the same time the zinc amalgam enters into closeconnection with the two cylinders. y

In the case represented in Fig. 2 only one zinc cylinder at isused',.thc inside of which is covered with the zinc amalgam described.To prevent the latter from sliding down, the lower end of the saidcylinder may be provided with a flange e, projecting inwardly. \Vhen thezinc electrode has been prepared in one of the forms shown in Figs. 1and 2, a carbon 9 is placed in the eellf, and into the latter isplacedelectroiyte of the following composition: thirty to forty parts ofammonium chlorid, twenty to thirty parts of chlorid of calcium, fifteento twenty-five parts of barium peroxid, five to twelve partsof ehloridof barium, three to eight parts of hydrogen peroxid, and water. \Vhenthe eleetrol yte has been put into the cell, the zinc electrode preparedin the manner described is placed into the latter, and. the battery ismade to work, either by taking it into use or making frequently shortcircuits. During the action of the battery the electric current and thepolarization current convert the zinc amalgam into a spongy condition,in which it forms a firm sponge-like mass. Owing to the now porousstructure of the zinc amalgam, which is opposite the carbon electrode g,the active surface of the zinc electrode is very large, and theefficiency of the electric battery is conscqucntly considerablyincreased.

Compared with other zinc electrodes the process of the destruction ofthe Zinc electrodes described, by the action of the electrolyte, is veryslow. In'the case of the zinc electrode represented in Fig. 1,comprising two cylinders, one placed within the other, after the spongyzine amalgam on the inside of the inner cylinder i) has been used up,the cylinder 1) itself, which has in the meantime also become porousto-a certain extent, comes into action, and, lastly, the spongy amalgamin the space 0 is used.

I In using the new zinc electrode for dry bating mediumof zinc holdingthe amalgam t0 the zinc cylinder, as explained.

2. An electric cell comprising-a zinc cylinder, an amalgam ofzinc-filings and mercury applied to the surface of said zinc cylinder, aperforated zinc retaining-wall for holding the amalgam to the zinccylinder, a suitable container in which the electrode thus produced isintroduced, an electrolyte which, under the action of an electriccurrent will convert the amalgam into spongy zinc, and a cooperatingelectrode also introduced into said cell,- substantially as set forth.

3. An electric cellcontaining asuitable container; an electrode composedof a zinc cylinder, an amalgam of zinc-filings and mercury applied tothe surface of said zinc cylinder, and a concentric perforated zinccylinder holding the amalgam to the cylinder first named; an electrolytecomposed of ammonium chlorid, chlorid of calcium, barium peroxid,chlorid of barium, hydrogen peroxid and water, together with a suitablesubstance reducing the electrolyte to a jelly-like mass.

4. An electrode for electric batteries comprising a body of zinc, aspongy zinc amalgam applied thereto, in substantially the mannerdescribed, and a retaining structure of zinc conforming to the body ofzinc, securing the spongy zinc amalgam thereto, and having openingspermitting access of the electrolyte to the spongy zinc amalgam.

5. An electrode for electric batteries comprising two concentric zincsupporting-cylinders, and a spongy zinc amalgam filling the annularspace between said cylinders; the cylinder nearest the other electrodeof the battery, being apertured to give the electro lyte access to thespongy zinc amalgam.

6. An electric battery containing as one of its elements a zincelectrode composed of a zinc support, an amalgam of zinc-filings andmercury secured thereon, and an electrolyte in the presence of whichundergalvanic action converts the zinc amalgam into spongy zinc,substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses. V

WILHELM ERNY Witnesses:

HENRY HASPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT.

